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1660646

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Ethiopia: Emergency Powers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation in Ethiopia following the introduction of the state of emergency declared by the government of Ethiopia on 4 August.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10124
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>On 11/08/2023 the UK Government coordinated a statement with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians in the Amhara region. We continue to urge all parties to the conflict to find peaceful resolution through dialogue. Although 'Fano' Amhara militia groups have retreated from major cities the security situation remains acute with sporadic fighting.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:21:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1660652

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Bank Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential humanitarian implications arising from restricted access to banking services in conflict zones; and what steps they are taking to ensure the availability of legitimate financial channels in such areas, with a view to continuing essential humanitarian work.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10130
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>The UK is committed to enabling the delivery of essential humanitarian work in conflict and humanitarian crises. One step we have taken to ensure the availability of legitimate financial channels was securing landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2664, which provides a humanitarian exception for all UN sanctions regimes.</p><p>We work to ensure UK sanctions do not have unintended adverse consequences on humanitarian delivery though regular engagement with partners across Government and the humanitarian and financial systems, including through the Tri-Sector Group.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:20:35 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1660653

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Bank Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reliance upon, and the success of, "hawala" banking systems in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan and Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and what steps they have taken to ensure these systems are protected as vital tools for local humanitarian actors and ordinary citizens to safely and securely transfer funds.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10131
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>Money Service Businesses (MSBs), including <em>Hawala</em>, play an important role in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. MSBs are often the only way of transmitting money, including remittances, to remote communities where formal banking services are limited. International standards on MSBs are set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which are implemented in full by the UK. Government guidance sets out clearly that hawala banking in the UK is legal and that many are regulated. In some cases, hawala are the only means of transferring funds into high-risk jurisdictions but the risks associated with their use need to be appropriately managed. Overall, we recognise that hawalas are an important tool for tackling poverty and promoting financial inclusion during conflict and humanitarian crises.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:18:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1660654

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Sanctions: Humanitarian Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, while UN Resolution 2664 provides crucial sanctions exemptions for humanitarian work, what steps they are taking to ensure that there are (1) legislative models, and (2) regulatory policies, in place so that case-by-case assessments can be made to protect humanitarian and aid work in jurisdictions that are sanctioned.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10132
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>The UK was pleased to support UN Security Council Resolution 2664, which was implemented in UK domestic law in February, and we will continue to work to mitigate any unintended negative humanitarian impacts of sanctions.</p><p>The UK does not target food or medicines and UN and UK sanctions provide for a range of humanitarian exceptions and licensing grounds. The licensing bodies prioritise humanitarian licence applications to ensure case-by-case assessments of humanitarian activities can be made at pace and the UK also uses General Licences to respond to humanitarian crises, for example following the recent earthquakes in Syria.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:17:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1660655

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Syria: Turkey
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessments they have made of the implications of closing the North-West Syria "Bab al-Hawa" border crossing upon local humanitarian actors, for whom the channel between Syria and Turkey is crucial for aid delivery; and what steps they are taking to ensure it remains open for this purpose.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10133
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>Over two months after Russia's veto of life-saving aid access into North West Syria, aid can now begin to enter North West Syria again through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. While Russia is content to play politics with humanitarian aid, the UK will not abandon the 4 million people in urgent need. This year, the UK has committed up to £150 million to the Syria crisis. We are using our position on the UN Security Council to call on the Syrian regime to allow immediate, unhindered and sustainable aid access to prevent further humanitarian deterioration.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:17:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1660660

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Palestinians: Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what audit reports have been carried out on payments they have made to the Palestinian Recovery and Development Programme.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10140
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>Following official development assistance (ODA) prioritisation exercises undertaken in March 2021, the UK no longer provides direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. All UK support to the Palestinian Authority is provided through technical advice, procured through commercial suppliers. The audits relate to UK funding provided through the World Bank's Palestinian Recovery and Development Programme, which has now closed, to the Palestinian Authority.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2023 15:23:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1660661

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Palestinians: Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what checks have been carried out by auditors to ensure that their payments to the Palestinian Authority do not go towards the so called "Martyrs Fund".
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government was appalled by the horrific murder of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee in a terrorist attack earlier this year. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] and the Foreign Secretary also passed on their condolences to Rabbi Leo Dee when they met him in person in June. Our thoughts continue to be with Rabbi Dee and his family in the wake of this tragedy. Following Official Development Assistance (ODA) prioritisation exercises undertaken in March 2021, the UK no longer provides direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. All UK support to the Palestinian Authority is provided through technical advice, procured through commercial suppliers. No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners, or their families or the Martyrs Fund, nor has it ever been. We continue to deliver a clear and long-standing message to the highest levels of the Palestinian Authority that the prisoner payments system should be reformed so that it is needs based, transparent and affordable. Officials maintain a regular dialogue with international partners on this issue.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL10142 question first answered 27/09/2023 14:14:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1660662

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Palestinians: Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what safeguards they have put in place to ensure that no UK funds go directly or indirectly through the Palestinian Authority's so called "Martyrs Fund" to the those responsible for murdering Lucy Dee, Maia Dee and Rina Dee in April.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government was appalled by the horrific murder of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee in a terrorist attack earlier this year. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] and the Foreign Secretary also passed on their condolences to Rabbi Leo Dee when they met him in person in June. Our thoughts continue to be with Rabbi Dee and his family in the wake of this tragedy. Following Official Development Assistance (ODA) prioritisation exercises undertaken in March 2021, the UK no longer provides direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. All UK support to the Palestinian Authority is provided through technical advice, procured through commercial suppliers. No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners, or their families or the Martyrs Fund, nor has it ever been. We continue to deliver a clear and long-standing message to the highest levels of the Palestinian Authority that the prisoner payments system should be reformed so that it is needs based, transparent and affordable. Officials maintain a regular dialogue with international partners on this issue.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL10141 question first answered 27/09/2023 14:14:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1659978

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Pakistan: Christianity
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what projects they are currently funding to improve (1) the quality of education, and (2) access to education for the Christian community, in Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2023 answer text <p>Since 2011, UK aid to Pakistan has helped over 11.6 million children attend primary school (including 5.5 million girls) and over 5.9 million children in secondary school (2.5 million girls). The UK's programme of support for education has helped thousands of children from religious minorities attend school and gain skills. We have also commissioned studies to identify minorities' needs in education. In July, the British High Commission participated in a civil society-led panel discussion on Minorities and Education. The UK has supported initiatives to review the National Curriculum of Pakistan, providing technical assistance to create a more inclusive curriculum and textbooks.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL10092 question first answered 26/09/2023 15:16:14 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1659980

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Pakistan: Religion
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to measure and evaluate (1) the effectiveness, and (2) the impact of projects that monitor the evacuation of religious minorities from areas affected by religious persecution in Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL10090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2023 answer text <p>The UK Government strongly condemns the violence faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia] condemned recent attacks against religious minorities in my meetings with Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on 13 September, and Pakistani High Commissioner Mohammed Faisal on 6 September. UK aid in Pakistan continues to support projects promoting the rights of religious minorities. Our Aawaz II programme brings together community leaders and minority representatives to promote tolerance. The British High Commission recently attended the Aawaz Interfaith dialogue in Lahore, which convened key stakeholders from across Punjab following the attacks against Christians in Jaranwala. Our Hate Speech and Disinformation programme is working to protect marginalised communities from hate speech online.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/09/2023 15:24:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool